Thursday, March 31, 2016

The Roles of Family Factors and Relationship Dynamics on Dating Violence Victimization and Perpetration among College Men and Women in Emerging Adulthood

Using data from the
International Dating Violence Study, this study examined the roles of early
socialization, family social structure, and relationship dynamics factors on
physical aggression in dating among U.S. college students in emerging
adulthood.

The interaction effects between these three domains of interest
(early socialization, family social structure, and relationship dynamics) were
explored to understand the underlying mechanisms that influenced victimization
and perpetration in dating.

In general, we found that family and relational
variables associated with dating victimization and perpetration were fairly
similar. Among the early socialization variables, experience of childhood
neglect and having witnessed domestic violence were significantly related to
victimization and perpetration. Living in a two-parent household appeared to
exert a protective effect, although associations with parental education were
not statistically significant.

Furthermore, the participants were more likely
to experience victimization or impose aggression in dating relationships which
were characterized by conflicts, distress, dominance, or psychological
aggression. Overall, for the participants who came from a two-parent household,
dominance in dating was linked to less violence.

When the participants faced
higher levels of psychological aggression, adverse early socialization factors
were associated with higher levels of dating violence victimization and
perpetration. Research and practice implications were discussed.